Amalgamator.



G. H. WOODHOUSE.& W. L. BROWN.

AMALGAMATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1911.

Patented July 30, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

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pe i cat on of Letters. atent- Patented July30, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE H. Woonrrousn and VVILFRED L. BROWN, citizens of the United States of America, and residents of the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, and of the city of San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, respectively, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Amalgamators, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to apparatus for extracting precious metals, and has for one of its objects the provision of a novel construction through the medium of which the comminuted ore and metalliferous slimes are subjected to the action of water, controlled in a novel manner for obtaining current effects of greater value.

A further object resides in a novel provision for introducing the fluid into the separating chamber.

Other objects will be set forth as our description progresses and those features of construction, arrangements and combinations of parts on which we desire protection, succinctly defined in our annexed claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout: Figure 1 is a plan of our invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, portions being broken away. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section, and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating more particularly one of the deflectors and showing by broken lines two positions of adjustment thereof.

In carrying out our invention, we provide a separating chamber, as 1, in which is arranged a fixed central partition 2, the same dividing said chamber into the branches 1, 1 which, are connected at one end portion by a passage-way 3, conveniently provided by spacing one end of partr tion 2 from the adjacent end wall of thechamber.

Extending throughout the length of chamber 1 and lying beneath partition 2, is a fluid discharge head 5, provided at its opposite sides with continuous dlscharge openings or slits 4 extending for lts ent re length and each opening into a respective branch of chamber 1. Head 5 conveniently comprises upper and lower sections 5, 5", the former being concave and fixedly secured to the end walls of chamber 1, as shown, with its depending side walls spaced from section 5 to provide the elongated openings 4 from which the water will discharge into each branch 1", 1" in a thin mass or sheet, against suitable deflectors 6, of respective series, each of which series of deflectors is set to direct the water toward a respective end of chamber 1 thereby insuring a more thorough disseminating action on the pulp or. material to be treated, which latter with the impelled water, through the medium of said deflectors, is caused to impinge suitable amalgamating plates 7 with a spirally) revolving movement in each of the cham er branches 1', 1". Head section 5; tapers toward passage-way 3 to thereby gradually reduce the internal cross sectional area of the discharge head 5 from its forward end, by which construction the water will discharge with substantially uniform force for the entire length of the head.

Topermit of deflectors 6 being adjusted to vary their angle of deflection, we adjust ably mount each series thereof on respective supports 8 by screw bolts 9 which pass through base lugs of the deflectors and have screw threaded engagement in the underlying support. Supports 8, as now considered, comprise bars arranged at the side edges of head section 5 and secured to the end walls of chamber 1, as shown.

By providing deflectors 6 in the manner described, we are enabled to nicely determine the duration of the treatment, suiting it to the quality and quantity of material fed to chamber 1. For example, these deflectors 6 adjacent partition 2 may be set at less angularity than those at passage way 8, so that the heavier materials fed will be well worked, while at the same time a current is induced which carries away the lighter particles. Amalgamating plates 7 which are removable, extend upwardly from supports 8 over the curved side walls of chamber 1 and are removably held thereon by suitable engaging hook parts 10.

In operation, fluid under pressure is supplied to head 5, through a pipe 12 which may be connected to a pump 11, and the material to be treated then being fed, into the branch 1 of chamber 1 at the forward end thereof, is caught by the water and caused to travel in a spiral path over the adjacent amalgamating plate 7 toward the passage-way 3. The material carried by the water when passage-way 3 is reached is drawn through the latter for further treatment, being caught by the spirally moving mass in branch 1 and again advanced toward the forward end of chamber 1, wherein an overflow port 12 is provided. Further, pump 11 is preferably provided with an intake pipe 14 which is connected with this end portion of branch 1", as shown, thereby serving to promote circulation. By discharging water into chamber 1, in the manner hereinbefore set forth, all of the material 'introduced into the chamber will be directly acted upon as contra-distinguished from prior constructions wherein a discharge head formed with series of discharge orifices is provided.

Having thus descrlbed our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, is

1. An amalgamator comprising an elongated chamber, a delivery head having a discharge opening extending along its length, said head being located at the bottom and at one side of said chamber, the discharge opening of said head being directed toward the opposite side of said chamber, and a series of vertically arranged .plates at the bottom of said chamber disposed lengthwise of the latter immediately Copies of this patent may be obtained for in front of the opening of said head and being adjustable as to angle longitudinally of said chamber.

2. An amalgamator comprising an elongated chamber, provided in its side at one end portion thereof with a delivery opening, a delivery head having a discharge opening extending along its length, said head being located at the bottom of said. chamber and at the last named side thereof, the discharge opening of said head being directed toward the opposite side of said chamber, a series of vertically arranged plates at the bottom of said chamber immediately in front of the discharge opening of said head and disposed lengthwise thereof, and means for securing said plates for independent adjustment as to angle longitudinally of said chamber.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 5th day of May, 1911.

GEORGE H. WOODHOUSE.

Witnesses STEPHEN A. BROOKS, A. W. Bor'rs.

WILFRED L. BROWN. Witnesses R. L. HUSTED, EMIL BERNHARDT.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

